SIX ALPHAS.

Pearl's POV.

"I said it! An omega can't be a team coach, a female at that. How could we lose to Bulkens of all teams? They are the worst in the league." Coach Lois of the swimming team shouted, jabbing a finger in my direction.

My heart skipped a beat as I lowered my head, my hands folded behind my back.

"He’s right, Director,” Coach Jason, of the football team, supported. “We understand Pearl is trying, but her team is also dragging us down. And the championship is just a few months away." 

I took a deep breath, dread rising in my chest like a tide I couldn't stop. 

'Was I going to lose this job?' I pondered trying not to shake.

I coached the basketball team here in Winterfell Academy, and ever since the Summer Leagues began, we haven't won a single match, and it's been 3 years.

We came dead last in the rankings this afternoon, hence the scolding.

"Pearl." Director Alex called out in his deep voice. I lifted my gaze, forcing myself to meet his eyes. 

"Y-yes, sir," I answered, trying not to stutter as my palms grew sweaty.

Coach Jason and Coach Lois exchanged a knowing look.

Were they planning something? Or had it already begun? 

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in." Coach Jason called, adjusting his glasses. 

The door creaked open and in walked Harry, one of my players. A rude, entitled, and sluggish student.

I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion until I saw him nod towards Coach Lois. 

My stomach dropped.

What just happened?! 

"This, sir, is Harry from her team,” Lois announced like it was some grand reveal. “He met up with me privately today to set up a meeting with you as there is something he would like to discuss." 

"Go ahead Harry, feel free to talk." Director Alex gave him a go-ahead.

Harry clenched his hands into fists and stepped forward. "Sir, Pearl is not suitable to be our Coach. She lacks in so many ways and even fails to organize our training sessions." 

Fails to organize training sessions? That was a bloody lie! I always scheduled our training. But the students never showed up. 

None of them even listens to me!

I let out a shaky sigh, dropping my gaze to the floor again, zoning out as Coach Lois and Jason's voices turned to static in my ears. 

I didn't want to hear their criticism again. I couldn't. 

Instead, my mind drifted to them. The six I swore I'd never have anything to do with ever again.

Would I need their help this time?

"Pearl." Director Alex called, sharper this time.

"Seems I will have to let you go; we can't have a team in this prestigious college falling behind." He told me, and my pulse thundered in my ears, each beat louder than everyone's voices in this room.

Basketball was my life. I couldn't play professionally because I was too short but coaching was my purpose. My dream. And I was about to lose that too?

I dug my nails into my palm as the air around me turned thin and suffocating.

"B-but sir, I do my best. Harry is mincing words." I tried defending myself when Coach Lois cut in with a scoff.

"Really? But your incompetence is so obvious already. Also, you only got in as a Coach here in the first place because of your friend's influence, but she is no more, remember?"

Coach Lois reminded me of Elara at that instant, and my stomach churned, bile rushing to my throat. Elara was my best friend, the only one who believed in me.

I hadn't heard from her since the incident. Not even a call or a letter.

A wave of nausea rolled through me, and then my eyes blurred. My knees buckled and my throat burned.

No. Not now. Please, not now!

I tried to hold myself up but the world tilted and I dropped to the floor.

Gasps filled the room. I saw Harry take an unconscious step backward with fear in his eyes.

I had barely spoken a word before pain shot through my skull and everything went dark.

*****

"You are awake!" Director Alex’s voice pulled me from the void as I blinked against the fluorescent lightbulb of the college clinic. The sharp scent of antiseptic made my stomach churn.

"U-y-e." I tried talking but coughed instead, discovering I had a sore throat and dry mouth. Director Alex immediately grabbed the tablet of drugs and a bottle of water from the table behind him.

"Here,” He said, handing them to me. “The doctor ordered you to take this immediately after you wake up." 

I uncapped the bottle of water and took the drug with it, absorbing the familiar taste as I tried not to sneeze.

"Director, this condition of hers is yet another reason she should be replaced." I heard Coach Lois's voice and turned to see him standing by the door with Coach Jason.

I didn't even notice they were around and to think this happened in their presence?

Fuck!

Director Alex ignored them but when he turned to me, the look I saw in his eyes said it all.

I braced myself for the harsh truth.

"I know this is not the right time but I have to give the team another coach." He said the very words I dreaded so much to me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, and my hands trembled beneath the thin clinic blanket.

I couldn't let this happen. Not when it would ruin my shot at getting into my dream sports school. Not after everything.

But there was only one card left to play. One I swore I'd never use.

Coach Lois threw me an evil smirk while Coach Jason winked at me. They wanted me gone but I wasn't going to let them win.

"I can bring them in,” I blurted out, surprising myself. “The championship will be a walk in the park if I bring them in.”

Every head in the room turned.

Director Alex furrowed his brows at me while the other two coaches just glared at me.

"What are you saying?" They all inquired at once, and it was my turn to smile, no matter how much it hurt.

"The six generational Alphas, the best players in this country. You know what they can do." I replied and all colors drained out of their faces.

As I expected, who would hear such a name and not react that way? 

They were the best of the best, phenomenal in the field, and never lost a game to anyone.

"Impossible." Coach Jason growled while Coach Lois gritted his teeth against one another as he said:

"She is just trying to buy her way in again." 

Director Alex began to bite his nails, pacing around the hospital. A habit he had when he was contemplating something.

"Sir, she is lying." Both Coaches tried getting into his head when;

"Might be a good time to remember who I am." I cut in, letting the weight of my surname hang between them. 

All of them froze yet again. Yes, I might be an omega or the outcast of my family, but it still doesn't mean that I wasn't one of them or couldn't use their authority when pushed.

A feeling of satisfaction ran through me. Using this might be taboo, but I wasn't going to lose to these bullies of a coach. 

When I saw the director was still thinking, I turned to face him.

"You know I don't lie," I added, and he rubbed his forehead, his eyes darting between me and the coaches, his shoulders slumping before he folded his hands across his chest.

"Alright. You have 72 hours max." He warned and I took in a deep breath, shivering.

I just spoke the words I swore I would never say. Was I ready to face them again, to reopen old wounds?

Doubt clawed at my heart as my jaw tightened.

I was walking into the fire yet again with the six men who ruined my life, but I will do anything at this point to get even.

I needed to establish that I was enough even without Elara's backing. Even if I had to deal with my four step-brothers again, or the one who murdered my father.

And finally.........